If you do see fleas and they are moving slow enough to catch – success – they are busy dying!
The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.
Treated fleas become more active before they die – making them more visible. Solving a flea problem can be much more difficult than many people expect. In the case of a severe flea infestation it can take several months of diligent treatment of both your animals and your home to get on top of the problem.
An adult flea if left undisturbed can live for up to 100 days without feeding. Flea larva however, don't need a blood meal to survive and can live on debris found in their hosts environment. These little guys typically like to live away from the light, deep in carpet, furniture, bedding etc.
Once they reach a certain point, they'll advance to the pupae stage, surviving inside their cocoon for lengthy periods of time. During this time, you might think the infestation has stopped. However, it's simply on hold. The clever pupae will wait until the time is right before emerging and latching on to a host.
While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.
Adult fleas will be killed within a few days but the floor should not be vacuumed, swept or washed for at least two weeks after treatment because there will still be eggs which will continue to hatch.
Without a host like a cat or a dog, fleas can live anywhere between a few days and two weeks, but they can lay eggs that make the infestation last longer.
The most common way for fleas to enter your home is when a cat or dog attracts fleas and brings them into your house. But, fleas can also enter another way. They may come through with an old piece of furniture, or clothing and skin of a person who already has been infested.
Answer: You should not have to wash any clothes that were in the closets and drawers. More information on treating for fleas in the home.
The worst time of the year is during late summer to late fall, from September through November. At What Temperature and How Quickly Do Fleas Die? Adult fleas die at temperatures colder than 46.4°F (8°C) and hotter than 95°F (35°C).
Vacuum often. All four stages of fleas are killed after vacuuming, with a 96 percent success rate. Homes that are vacuumed often will usually not have a flea problem that persists for long, because the eggs, larvae, pupa and adult fleas will all be killed or removed through the vacuum.
Getting rid of fleas is a difficult process due to the long lifecycle of a flea. Moderate to severe infestations will take months to control and require a four-step process for complete elimination: Sanitation. Thoroughly clean areas where fleas frequently breed.
Fleas Extra to penetrate deep into carpet fibres. Where possible, move large items of furniture and vacuum and spray underneath. You should also vacuum rapidly 24 hours after spraying and thereafter at least twice weekly for the next two weeks.
The main thing is to give it time. Once a flea infestation has set up in your home, it can take a while to completely clear it. The cocoon stage in the flea life cycle can remain dormant within your home for many months, so new fleas can continue to emerge for months, even after treatment.
Not treating often enough
Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.
Can fleas live in your bedding? Fleas can live in beds for about one to two weeks, and they like to burrow under sheets. Fleas need blood to survive, though, so they won't stay in one place for too long if there is no food source.
Remember: Adult fleas can live up to two weeks without attaching themselves to a host. So, although females can't reproduce during that time, they still have up to two weeks to find a host and reproduce.
Fleas in the house are typically found in sleeping areas such as bedding, carpet, and mattresses. Fleas on humans are often found in areas that are closer to the ground, as fleas tend to grab onto clothing while a person is outside.
They are oval in shape and of a whitish colour. Under a microscope, one can see that flea eggs look like rice grains. Over time, their appearance may change, in terms of colour. From shiny and almost translucent they can become bright and solid white.
In just 30 days, 10 female fleas can multiply to over a quarter million new fleas in different life stages. Female fleas start producing eggs within 24 to 48 hours after taking their first blood meal and can lay up to 50 eggs per day.
5. Part your pet's fur. Spot-on flea treatments are only effective when applied directly to your pet's skin, not the surrounding fur. This can be a little tricky with longer-haired species, but it's important you make sure you can see your pet's skin before attempting to apply a spot-on.
Covering skin with long-sleeve clothing and pants will minimize exposure to bites. Flea bites often occur on the lower legs and feet, protect these areas with long socks and pants. Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.